“There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.”
— Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919)
The first public library established in the state of Iowa was in Indianola in 1884, and this library is still in operation 141 years later. Logan’s own library began with the establishment of our first Board of Trustees in 1913, our Carnegie Grant was awarded in 1915, and our current library building officially welcomed its first patrons in 1920. As a state, 99% of our residents are served by a public library. We are fourth in the nation in the number of public libraries in our state with 544 total. We have approximately one library for every 6,000 residents, and 75% of our libraries serve small communities of 2,500 residents or less.
Historically, Iowa is even more impressive when it comes to our libraries. We were the 10th state to enact legislation enabling communities to establish and maintain libraries through taxation. Fairfield, Iowa received the first Carnegie Grant given to a community west of Pittsburgh, Pa., and the Iowa Library Association was founded in 1890, making it the second oldest state library association in the country. Even the Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association began in Iowa, with its earliest version being written by the director of the Des Moines Public Library in 1938.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because this legacy is in jeopardy and the threats are coming fast and furious. From state legislation that threatens funding for associating with professional organizations (HF 880) and the removal of liability protections for libraries and schools, opening them up to lawsuits (HF 521), to the recent presidential executive order at the federal level that aims to reduce and limit the funding and effectiveness of the Institute of Museum and Library Services; libraries in Iowa and across the country are facing an uncertain future.
Libraries operate as one of the few remaining public institutions where you can congregate & participate without the expectation of payment. Here in Logan, your library offers over 20,000 circulating items, from books and magazines to telescopes, microscopes, and laptops. We provide access to thousands of e-books, e-magazines, and audiobooks, free streaming video, internet access and digital skill training, free programming for all ages, fax, copy, and scanning services, a free seed library, games, puzzles, movies and so much more! We already count pennies, and depend on outside funding sources, such as grants and donations, to make this possible. Reductions in funding at the state and federal levels will impact our ability to offer many of these services and it could force many smaller libraries to close their doors for good.
This is the time for Iowans to show their support for libraries and there are so many ways to do just that. Consider contacting our state and federal representatives to share your library stories and encourage them to help libraries thrive and grow. Stop by your local library and borrow materials, attend a program, volunteer, make a donation, or just sit and read the local paper. Every person that walks through the door of a public library helps to keep the library open, simply by making use of it.
For more information on how you can get involved contact your local library branch or visit one of the following websites for details:
www.iowalibraryassociation.org
www.ala.org/advocacy/show-up-for-our-libraries
Kate Simmons
Logan Public Library Director
American Library Association Member
Public Library Association Member
